90km southwest of Kathmandu, known as one of the best national park in Asia,covering a pristine area of 932 sq. km, it is the first national park of the country. Established in 1973 to preserve a unique ecosystem of significant value to the entire world, the park is situated in the sub-tropical inner ‘Terai lowlands of South-central Nepal. In the northwest section of the park is an island known as the Bandarjhola, which is surrounded by the Narayani River. This unique island consists of riverine forest, tall grassland, marshland, numerous inlets and oxbow lakes. Such a diverse combination of nature found only on this island provides a perfect habitat for wildlife.The Chitwan National Park offers a wilderness of rich ecosystem that includes mammals, bird’s reptiles and water animals of several kinds. It is little surprising therefore that this is one of the most popular and most frequented parts of the country. Owing to its rich adornment of nature the park was declared UNESCO Natural Heritage Site in 1984. The park that includes in its area a part of the Churiya Hills is covered with deciduous forests overlooking the floodplains of Narayani, Rapti and Reu rivers. There are around 600 plants species, 50 mammals, 526 birds and 49 amphibians, reptiles found in the park. The highlights, of course, are the 500 Asian one-horned rhinoceros and some 100 nocturnal Royal Bengal tiger that live in the dense forests of the park. Sharing home with these are other animals like rhesus monkey, gray lungur, deer, leopards, white stockinged gaur, wild boar, wild dogs and wild cats. And to view the flora and fauna of this superb location, we have a variety of programs that include elephant safaris, boat rides and jungle walks escorted by our expert naturalists, guides and mahouts.
I had the pleasure last January of having the most wonderful trekking guide around Kathmandu and then the Annapurna circuit. Rajandra Khandal was not only knowledgeable about Nepalese history and trails, he was also patient, efficient, very smart and witty, spoke excellent English and always seemed to have a good rapport with whoever we encountered, both local Nepalese and tourists. He was an extremely strong guide who carried some of my belongings along with his own, and never appeared tired, always as energetic and agile as a mountain goat. I remember one instance where we did a steep climb, and I as usual was moving very slowly. When we reacched the top of the mountain I realized I did not have my money pouch, and had probably dropped it way back on the trail where we had stopped. As soon as I told him he was off, running down the mountain at top speed. I watched him reach the bottom and take off like lightning down the trail. We had passed a group of boys walking in the direction of where I had dropped my pouch, and of course, if they found it that would be the end of that. But he reached the pouch before the boys, and came running back down the trail and up the mountain in 15 minutes, the same steep climb that had taken me much longer!! He arrived smiling and happy that he had suceeded. I was very, very grateful, and impressed!!! He was always good natured and hapy!! After that I let him carry my money. At the end of the trek I found out how frugal he had been, and that he had negotiated lodgings so skillfully that he had save me quite a lot of money. We remain good friends and I look forward to the time when I can return to Nepal and trek again with this wonderful young man. If you are planning to visit Nepal, don't miss the chance to trek with Raj, it will be nothing short of a great experience!!Peggy Cabbab.
I would highly recommend Raj as a guide of Nepal. He is truly an amazing young man, with exceptional customer service skills. I met Raj on my very first day in Nepal, and he took such good care of me. He guided me around the most common sites of Kathmandu. He not only physically showed me these places, he had so much knowledge about each and every place we visited, which was really informative. Raj and I had a lot of great conversations during the few days he was guiding me, and introduced me to the beautiful Nepal. Nepal is a place I will forever hold in my heart, and Raj has become a dear friend, whose kindness and friendship will remain with me always. Raj will show you beautiful sights of his home country, and will do so with such a passion for life! He is an amazing person, and does a fantastic job with guiding people. Rebecca NZ.
